Henry E. Plimack saved Linda J. Lauria and Rose Marie Hetzel from drowning, New York, New York, June 22, 1957. Linda, 5, who with three other children had been taken by Rose Marie, 15, to Randalls Island to sunbathe, wandered to the bank of the East River, where she slipped and fell into the choppy water. Rose Marie, who could not swim, scrambled down the rocky bank and waded toward Linda, who then was 5 feet from the bank in water 5 feet deep. She slipped on the rocky river bottom and plunged into water beyond her depth but secured a hold on Linda and supported her as they drifted farther from the bank. The other children, none of whom could swim, ran to other persons nearby and informed them of the accident. Henry, 14, schoolboy, the only swimmer in the group, ran 500 feet to the bank and kicked off his shoes. As he descended the 20-foot bank and waded into the water, Rose Marie lost her hold on Linda, who continued to float. Henry swam 20 feet and reached Linda in water 11 feet deep. He grasped her by the hair and towed her 18 feet to within 2 feet of the bank, where he handed her to a man. Henry then swam diagonally 40 feet to Rose Marie, who meanwhile had lost consciousness and had drifted into water 14 feet deep. He towed her 30 feet and then secured footing 5 feet from the bank. A policeman who had been summoned waded into the water and took Rose Marie from Henry, who followed him onto the bank. Linda and Rose Marie were removed to a hospital, where Linda was treated for shock and Rose Marie was kept in an oxygen tent for 40 hours. Henry was tired and winded. All recovered. 44178-4138
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